First Time Guild Owner

[Westerly Wood]

Hello everyone!
I went to my luthiers shop today to pick up a repair he was doing for me, and decided I wanted to buy a beater acoustic. Looking through his shop I found a Guild D4 that he says is a 2000 model. Serial AD407834. I have a freind who loves Guild so I picked it up and hit a D chord..... WOW. What a beautiful sound. It took me all of 5 minutes to decide to take it. Its a little beat up, but sounds awesome and feels great. I was hoping to learn a little more about it from you guys.

nice!

Guild D4 - Westerly Guild Guitars

 

[gjmalcyon]

You didn't have your initials engraved in it like Marge's bowling ball did you?

THAT was a funny episode. I don't need any "Jacques" in my life.

 

[chazmo]

PapaLeo, welcome aboard, and congrats on a GREAT guitar buy.

There's a big world of Guilds out there, so pull up a chair and hang with us. The GAS will settle in soon.

 

[Br1ck]

For what you paid, it's the definition of beater. A beater is different things to different folks. I'm of a mind that nowhere I'd play a guitar is so poor that I'd want to play something that sounds and plays much below what I'm used to day to day. So I consider my 70 Guild D 35 to be my beater. So play the heck out of your D4 and take it camping.

 

[chazmo]

^ I'm not sure I agree with your definition of beater, Br1ck, but I suppose it is subjective. In any case, PapaLeo, remember the Guild motto (since Fender, anyway)... "Made to be Played!"

 

[PapaLeo67]

Careful tho.....D-4's are akin to an entry drug!!

Ok..$5 says PapaLeo will have 3 Guilds by the end of the year

You might be right about that!!!

 

[PapaLeo67]

Welcome to LTG!
Yes, your serial number was made in year 2000.

Our member GAD scanned the catalog page from the year 2000 Guild catalog:

https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Guild-2000-Catalog-Pg18_1600.jpeg

Here are the full specs if you are interested:

Model Name: D4 HR (HR stands for "handrubbed finish")
FMIC/Guild Model Number: 350-0100-021 (-021 without case, -721 with case)
Category: Traditional Dreadnought Guitars
Body Style: Dreadnought
Scale Length: 25 5/8"
Top: Solid Spruce Top
Bracing: Standard
Back: Arched Laminated Mahogany Back
Sides: Solid Mahogany Sides
Neck: Mahogany
Width at Nut: 1-11/16"
Fingerboard: Morado (12" Radius)
Frets: 20
Bridge: Rosewood
Hardware: Chrome
Tuning Machines: Grover Chrome Plated Die-cast Tuners
Pickups: Optional
Controls: N/A
Pickup Switching: N/A
Finish: Handrubbed Satin Finish (Polyurethane)
Other Features: Dot Inlay,
Tortiose Shell Pickguard
Case: Optional, Uses Standard C4500 Hardshell Case p/n 3501075204
U.S. MSRP: $899.99 Price without case, *add $100.00 for C4500 hardshell case
Options: 350-0105 D4 (as above with Fishman Transducer) $1,099.99
350-0106 D4 (as above with Fishman pickup and preamp) $1,199.99
350-0120 D4 (Left hand) $899.99
350-0125 D4 (Left hand with Fishman Transducer) $1,099.99
350-0126 D4 (Left hand with Fishman pickup and preamp) $1,199.99
Strings: Guild L350 Phosphor Bronze,
p/n 3500350000,
Gauges .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .053
Source: U.S.
Introduced: 1991
Discontinued: 12/2001

Ralf

Thank you for this! Did Guild brand the Grover Tuning Machines? They look like Grover, Feel like Grover, but they have the Guild logo on them.

 

[GGJaguar]

Did Guild brand the Grover Tuning Machines? They look like Grover, Feel like Grover, but they have the Guild logo on them.

Do they look the tuners in this post?

Blues 90 tuners

Are these "G-shield" tuners made by Gotoh? Thanks!!

letstalkguild.com

 

[PapaLeo67]

Do they look the tuners in this post?

Blues 90 tuners

Are these "G-shield" tuners made by Gotoh? Thanks!!

letstalkguild.com

Yes, exactly

 

[SFIV1967]

Do they look the tuners in this post?

So Ping made. Interesting as the D-4 specs showed "Tuning Machines: Grover Chrome Plated Die-cast Tuners ". Maybe that was changed at some point in time from Ping to Grover...or as often the specs were simply wrong...
Ralf

 

[Rayk]

Congrats, that guitar just a lot of mojo . Enjoy

 

[Br1ck]

$400, you did very well. Beater mens different things to different people.

 

[Opsimath]

We're not quite at a year since PapaLeo found his first Guild, but will be there in a couple of months.

Just wondering, PapaLeo, have you increased your Guild count? Beecee has five bucks riding on the answer.

 

[PapaLeo67]

We're not quite at a year since PapaLeo found his first Guild, but will be there in a couple of months.

Just wondering, PapaLeo, have you increased your Guild count? Beecee has five bucks riding on the answer.

HAHA Yes, I just saw that bet and laughed. I bought a new Holy Grail F-512 a couple weeks ago, and today I think I am getting the 1974 Starfire VI i posted about in another thread.

 

[davismanLV]

Leo you're gonna have to update your Guild Count in your profile soon!!

 

[Opsimath]

Beecee was right! Less than a year and 3 Guild's later!

 

[krysh]

Congrats and welcome. Post well, post often!

 

[Andrew79]

Wow. In good condition for that price! Congrats. My '98 D4 was a really excellent sounding guitar. It had a great neck as well - probably my favourite. But mine was the DEFINITION of a beater - almost beyond playable until I made repairs. We all need a guitar like that - they can't all be treasures I guess.

 

[Westerly Wood]

It’s a stripped down D25. Lot of guitar for the money. Great value!

 

[drrock]

Very nice and congratulations! I’ve had a ‘92 for several years now and love it!